Chapter 1: At The End of All Things

[ravenn4544]

Elbenarin bows in gratitude to the Elven King as he admires a finely crafted long sword "Le fael - Praise thee for your gifts! May it serve us in the battles to come" He nods proudly at the words of his brother. They, too, echo in his heart.

Later, he inquires, "this refuge of old - can you tell us more about where it may be located? What manner of foul creatures must surely haunt it's halls?"

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor will provide that initial WIS heal to anyone who has been hurt as he does so, he'll ask Legolas and Gandalf, "esteemed King and Mithrandir, are there any waters, salves or any other magicks that we might utilize to speed healing of our wounds? Whether for now, or for during our quest?" Also he will take a magic dagger.

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

The dwarf looks at the weapons. Thank you, your majesty, but I'll stick with my axe. It is, after all, what I pledged. Besides, I've never gotten the hang of a sword; the balance is all wrong. He does not take a weapon.

[Urson]

Therone

Therone finds a longsword in the stack- it makes a sound like distant thunder when she swings it, and there is a tracing of copper lines in the jagged arcs of lightning down the blade.

She bows low- almost pressing her forehead to the ground- before the new King of Mirkwood. You shall have my fealty, Sire.

[hedgeknight]

Gilly listens to Gandalf and the new Elven king. And even though her brother refuses to arm himself with an Elven-made weapon, she shrugs and tests out a couple of short swords before adding one to her belt. She gives a look at her brother. "If it helps defeat ol' Smaug, I'll use it."
Then to Gandalf, "Now, tell us, Mithrindir, where is this lair of the Black Terror?"

+1 Shortsword added to weapon inventory

[SocraticLawyer]

Tinuwen attempts to apply first aid to Elbenwin,
First aid (16) [1d20] = 17
but is not equal to the task. She uses her magic instead: CLW [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6

Picking up an exquisite longbow, she offers her thanks to Legolas. Many thanks, my king. I will help this group see to the defeat of the tyrant wyrm.

[OGRE MAGE]

Folco takes one of the shiny shortswords and smiles widely at the group once they are ready to depart.

“Right! Where are we going, then?”

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

To Mirkwood, it appears, the dwarf replies to Folco. Gandalf, if we are indeed destined to journey through Mirkwood, can you tell us any more of where we are going? Was this the dragon's lair? A dwarven hold? Something else?

[ChubbyPixie]

Gilwennen, when she realizes in whose presence she is standing, bows low and dramatically. "Your highness, you are Legolas. Forgive me for not recognizing you - I had only ever heard tales of your heroic prowess," she says reverentially. "If anyone can bring this kingdom back from this black pall of destruction, it is you."

Turning to the proffered weapons, she reaches for an elegant looking bow, then stops short. A feeling of rightness overtakes her as she spies the hilt of a glittering elvish longsword with a blade like cold fire, the very image of elegant threat. "Naringë," she says quietly to herself as she runs her fingertips across the elvish runes etched into the pommel."You will be my blade. Together we will clear this land of evil and set the course of history back to rights, bringing woe to the enemies of good."

+1 longsword added to inventory.

[Inferno]

The Elven King's Halls, Mirkwood Forest, Rhovanion, Middle Earth
Night. March 19, Year One of the Fourth Age
Wet, rainy, cold



Except for Glasik the dwarf, the young company gratefully accept the generous gifts of the new Elven King: elvish blades and bows.

Gandalf's answers only prompt more questions. It is the way with wizards.



Gandalf offers more answers, "The Mountains of Mirkwood loom in the midst of the forest, between the Old Forest Road and the Elf-path. The Second Age of Middle Earth saw them inhabited by Silvan Elves, that you call wood-elves, who knew the range as the Emyn Duir, the Dark Mountains.

"During the Third Age, the dread power of Sauron, long disguised as the Necromancer of Dol Guldur, spread across the Mountains, as it did throughout the rest of the Forest, and they became populated by hideous creatures. Great spiders dwell there, and other dark horrors, unimaginable and unrelenting. The spiders are of the brood of Shelob, who in turn is a child of Ungoliant, a frightful gigantic creature of the ancient world.

• • • 

"The shadow of Sauron drove the wood-elves north from the mountains. And, just as Greenwood the Great was renamed Mirkwood, its northern hills also took on a new name: Emyn-nu-Fuin, the Mountains of Mirkwood.

"You shall follow the Enchanted River but be careful to neither drink from it nor touch it, else all will be lost. At the river's source you shall find an ancient stronghold of the wood-elves, lost to time and shadow. Your goal lies within.

"On this quest, my young friends, your courage shall be tested to its utmost limits. And it shall also provide your greatest defense. Now, make your preparations. The board is set and the pieces are already in motion."

The new Elven King brings forth a wood-elf scout. "This is Rumil. He shall see you to the Enchanted River and beyond." Fresh water and elvish waybread is also brought for all, and a beautiful silver bottle for Naruthirdor. (Potion of Extra Healing)

After preparations are made, the white wizard returns his gaze to the company. "Very well. Your journey begins. Upon it, you must make haste. Keep your quest a secret. The Enemy's spies are everywhere. I shall join you when and where I can."
"And remember. This task is appointed to you. If you do not find a way, no one will."


Replies? Actions? Preparations?


Map:




PC Status:

• Elbenarin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 27/30, played by ravenn4544
  Elbenwin: Male Dunedain Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/30, played by wolfpack
  Folco Boffin: Male Hobbit Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 17/21, played by Ogre Mage
  Gilda 'Gilly' Ironfoot: Female Dwarf Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 25/28, played by hedgeknight
  Glasik Ironfoot: Male Dwarf Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 24/24, played by Scott308
  Gilwennen: Female Elven Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 8/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl, played by ChubbyPixie
  Naruthirdor Nowe: Male Elven Magic-User 2: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 6/8, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl, played by rredmond
  Therone: Female Elven Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 22/22, played by Urson
  Tinuwen: Female Elven Fighter/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: -1, HP: 7/7, Spells: 2/3 1st lvl, played SocraticLawyer

PC Magic:

• None currently.

Player Resources:

• In Darkness and In Doubt (the story so far)
  Before The Fall (realms and maps of Middle Earth)
  The Fear and The Shadow (the story so far in images)
  History Became Legend. Legend Became Myth (clues and player notes)

[wolfpack]

We shall do all that we can, Rumil you are welcome to our party and your knowledge will be invaluable in this quest I am sure.

I am Elbenwin knight of Dol Amorth and a son of Numenor

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Well met, Rumil. I'm Glasik, that's my sister, Gilly. We're clan Ironfoot, from Ered Mithrin. I hope you will be able to answer questions and give us information more directly than some people seem able to, he says, glaring at the wizard while he speaks. Either way, it's good to have another now that Pockets has business elsewhere.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"Well met to you all. I am Rumil of Mirkwood son of Pelod and Amarie of Mirkwood, loyal servant of the Elven King. I hope that I may be of aid and render assistance as needed upon your undertaking."

Rumil half bows to the party before him and stands proud, ready to lead the way once everyone is done speaking.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Greetings, Rumil." says Gilwennen. "Would that we had met in other circumstances than these. What way to Emyn-nu-Fuin do you propose? By the elf-path? Or perhaps you know some other way. I am anxious to begin."

I'll take this one, thanks.

Naringe.jpg (24.58 KiB) Viewed 4585 times

[Urson]

Therone

I am called Therone. I am sure you have lost many of your own- like all the rest of us. Blessings to you in your hour of sorrow.

Therone sheathes her new blade and gathers her gear to travel.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"I think it best to stay to the Elf Path as long as possible, it will be a terribly dangerous journey as it is. But I fear we will find the safety of the Elf Path but a short portion of our journey."

[hedgeknight]

Well met, Rumil. I'm Glasik, that's my sister, Gilly.

Gilly gives the newcomer a nod as she checks her gear and listens to her companions. Once Rumil gives advice about the journey, Gilly says, "Red, give him a sniff."
She watches as her dog approaches Rumil and gives him the once over. Assuming Red does hike a leg on the wood-elf scout, Gilly says, "Lead on, Rumil. The sooner we get to the mountains, the better I will feel. I need some stone around me."

Gilly then turns to her brother and says in low tones: "En annen alv! Bor hakk kjent! Uted vir ahnah emyn-nu-fuin, disntar oloreg huggers vil vaer useless. Derrett vir vil sniff utre de daremag's lair o forbrhir tirhil ol' Smaug!"
Glasik:

"Another Elf! Should have known! Once we reach Emyn-nu-Fuin, these tree huggers will be useless. Then we will sniff out the dragon's lair and prepare for ol' Smaug!"

[Scott308]

Glasik Ironfoot

Vel, i det minste kan ikke en annen alv skade når vi reiser gjennom skogen.

Gilly:

Well, at least another elf can't hurt as we travel through the woods.

[Rex]

Rumil of Mirkwood

"Yes we should get moving, it appears some of you may be injured. My mother was a healer, perhaps I can help."

Rumil will use CLW on the first 3 to speak up.

[rredmond]

Naruthirdor asks Rumil to wait to ensure he has attempted to heal folks naturally, before using a spell. "I believe that Elbenarin, Elbenwin, Folco, and Gilly are the only folks that are currently hurt besides myself, though Elbenwin is most in need," he says to his Mirkwood cousin.

I know the First Aid skill can only be used once, but does it have to be used before a CLW? I wasn't sure, better safe than sorry though.
Wisdom checks for Elbenarin, Elbenwin, Folco, and Gilly: [1d20] = 1, [1d20] = 18, [1d20] = 18, [1d20] = 13
Dang, a critical win, and two misses. Figures I'd miss on Elbenwin... if he can Naruthirdor will use a CLW on Elbenwin.